As the Los Angeles area continues to burn, many are asking our leadership, “Why weren’t we better prepared?” One of these people is GOP Assemblyman Bill Essayli, who penned a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom Wednesday demanding that he call a special legislative to discuss “California’s ongoing wildfire crisis.”
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He wrote:
Homes and business have been lost, insurers are leaving the state, and fire insurance premiums have become unaffordable for many Californians. Despite these significant wildfires, California has not changed its approach to wildfire prevention policies. As the world’s fifth-largest economy, this is unacceptable.
#AD63 Republican Assemblyman Bill Essayli sends a letter requesting that Gavin Newsom call a special legislative session on California wildfire mitigation pic.twitter.com/wXtn2HreYX
— Rob Pyers (@rpyers) January 8, 2025
The assemblyman from Corona called for procedures like controlled burns and other mitigation efforts:
Essayli called on Newsom to enact policies like controlled burns and undergrounding of power lines… The Legislature returned last week for a special session to shore up legal resources for potential litigation with the incoming president.
Unbelievable. They’re having a legislative session to combat an incoming president who just won all seven swing states, the popular vote, and the electoral vote, and meanwhile, LA is on fire. Essayli lit into the elegantly coiffed guv on social media;
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For everyone saying this is not a time for blame, this is exactly the moment that the people who have been responsible for the mismanagement of California’s fire policies be held accountable.
Our governor has been obsessed with holding a special session to “Trump-proof” CA,… pic.twitter.com/cPi10cGf6s
— Bill Essayli (@billessayli) January 8, 2025
In subsequent posts, Essayli went on to give a detailed analysis of wildfires in the state and the flawed decisions of lawmakers, including their reliance on “suppression-only” strategies as opposed to more proactive measures.
Newsom called for the special “Trump-proofing California” session on Nov. 7, 2024, and it convened on December 2.
California attorney Julie Hamill weighed in with a heavy heart:
At this moment, we have more than 30,000 acres of 0% contained fires ripping through Los Angeles and destroying billions of dollars worth of Californian’s homes. Also at this moment, California’s Legislature, at the behest of Governor Newsom are holding a special session to… https://t.co/3bXX2bkpxr pic.twitter.com/aBPm7QjWvO
— Julie Hamill (@hamill_law) January 9, 2025
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Also at this moment, California’s Legislature, at the behest of Governor Newsom are holding a special session to “fight Trump.”
I have to stay off social media for a while because my brain cannot comprehend what is happening.
More: ‘Embarrassing’: Karen Bass’s Week Gets Even Worse After Disastrous Performance at Wildfires Presser
WATCH: Whiny Gavin Newsom Files Hurt Feelings Report After Trump’s Criticisms Hit Too Close to Home
The factors behind this awful tragedy will be studied, examined, and fought over for years. Some are calling criticism of the Golden State’s preparedness “politicization” of the disaster, but as Essayli points out, we need to start figuring out a new forward right away—we don’t have time to wait.
Because whatever we’re doing now is 100 percent not working.
